Muscian{40 s pick

ABSTRACT

A musician&#39;&#39;s pick which includes a plectrum having a strumming tip supported on one end of a handle which is grasped within the fisted palm of the musician. The longitudinal axis of the handle is disposed at an angle to the normal plane of movement of the tip during strumming. By this arrangement the musician may relax the normal grip on the plectrum between the thumb and forefinger but the plectrum continues to be supported by the grasp on the handle thereby positioning the pick for immediate reuse when desired by the musician. The pick is formed from a resilient or flexible sheet material and the plectrum may be integrally formed with or detachably supported on the handle.

1 51 May 29,1973

. [22] Filed:

[ MUSICIANS PICK [76] Inventor: Harold E. Cowell, Sr., 3044 Central St.,Evanston, Ill. 6020] Sept. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 288,908

Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-V. MiskaAtt0rney-Albert H. Pendleton, Sidney Neuman, Fred T. Williams et al.

[ ABSTRACT A musicians pick which includes a plectrum having a strummingtip supported on one end of a handle which is grasped within the fistedpalm of the musician. The longitudinal axis of the handle is disposed atan angle to the normal plane of movement of the tip during strumming. Bythis arrangement the musician may relax the normal grip on the plectrumbetween the thumb and forefinger but the plectrum continues to besupported by the grasp on the handle thereby positioning the pick forimmediate reuse when desired by the musician. The pick is formed from aresilient or flexible sheet material and the plectrum may be integrallyformed with or detachably supported on the handle.

1 1 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures MUSCIAN'S PICK BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a musician's pick and moreparticularly to a pick that is used by musicians for playing stringedinstruments that are to be plucked or strummed such as banjos,mandolins, guitars and the like. Picks that have been used forinstruments of this type are known as plectra and are normally graspedby the musician between the thumb and forefinger. However, if thegrasping pressure is relaxed, the pick is often dropped and may becomelost.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide amusicians pick which will permit the musician to periodically relax isplectrum-holding pressure during intervals when the pick is not beingactively used for strumming.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a pick which willbe constantly positioned for immediate regrasping and use when desiredby the musician.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a pick which maybe readily formed to the desired size and curvature of the musicianshand.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a pickwhich may be easily formed from readily available materials.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a one-piecemusical pick which may be readily formed from conventional and readilyavailable sheet plastic material and which may be molded or otherwisemanually formed into any desired configuration to suit the needs anddesires of the musician.

A still further object of this inventon is the PROVI- SION OF AMISICIANS PICK IN WHICH THE PLEC- TRA MAY BE interchanged to suit thedesires of the musician.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become apparentfrom a consideration of the following description, accompanying drawingsand the appended claims.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In accordance with one embodiment of this invention,a musicians pick is provided which comprises an elongated handle havinga plectrum including a strumming tip supported on one end thereof.Thepositioning of the plectrum'with respect to the handle is such thatthe plane defined by the tip during normal strumming is at a substantialangle to the longitudinal axis of the handle so that while the handle isgrasped within the fisted palm of the musician, the plectrum may at thesame time be held between the thumb and the forefinger duringnormaLusecbythe musician. However, in the event that the musician wishesto rest andto relax the thumb and forefinger grip on the plectrum, hemay do so without completely relaxing the finger and palm grip on thehandle. Thus, the plectrum is retained in position and is ready forregrasping by the musician between the thumb and forefinger when thepick is again to be used for strumming. In order to provide a properposition of the handle in relationship to the plectrum so that theplectrum may be conveniently regrasped and used by the musician when thepick handle is being held, the angle between the longitudinal axis ofthe handle and the plane defined by the tip during strumming ispreferably greater than about 60 and is suitably Both the plectrum andthe handle are preferably formed from a flexible or resilient sheetmaterial which may be readily formed or molded to fit the hand of themusician. The flexibility may be varied by selection of the materialused and of the thickness of the sheet. Materials that are particularlyuseful for the formation of the pick are thermoplastic resins such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and the like. In order for thepick to conform to the hand of the musician and to provide the properangle for the plectrum during strumming, it is preferred that theportion of the sheet material forming the handle and the portion of thesheet material forming the plectrum be formed or arranged so that theydefine surfaces which are disposed at a substantial angle to each other.Preferably this angle is also greater than about 60, suitably about 90.

In one form of the device, the plectrum and handle are integrally formedfrom a single piece of flexible sheet material and the desiredconfiguration of the device is achieved by twisting the sheet adjacentthe neck between the handle and the plectrum. The twist may bepermanently set and applied during initial manufacture or in subsequentreforming according to the preference of the musician or the twistingmay occur wholly or in part while the musician is holding the device. Aspreviously indicated, it is preferred that this twist be substantial sothat there is preferably imparted greater than 60 relative rotationalong the axis of the device between the handle and the plectrum. Thus,a device is provided which may be readily formed from sheet material andis very inexpensive to manufacture.

In a second form of the device, the handle and plectrum are separatelymolded but are provided with detachable securing means so that the pickmay be detachably secured to the handle. Again, the attachment is suchthat the plane of movement of the plectrum tip during strumming is at anangle of at least about 60 to the longitudinal axis of the handle and sothat the plane in which the plectrum lies intersects the plane of thehandle material at a substantial angle, preferably greater than about60. Any suitable means may be used for detachably securing the plectrumto the handle. One such means comprises a pair of resilient arms moldedor otherwise formed in one end of the handle which are provided withgrooves and one or more notches which embrace the plectrum havingcomplementary ribs and protuberances. This form of the device permitsready replacement of plectra, as may be desired by the musician.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION For a more complete understandingof this invention, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an integrally formed musicians pick made inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pick shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view toward the left-hand end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view toward the righthand end of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the musician's pick;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view taken toward the left-hand end of FIG.5; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are different forms of plectra that may be used inconnection with the device shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the musicians pick there shown isformed from a single piece of flexible sheet material. This piececomprises an elongated handle 10 and a plectrum 12 connected together bymeans of a neck portion 14. The handle 10 has a planar surface 15adjacent the f'mger-engaging edge thereof and is provided with apalm-fitting skirt 17 having a curvilinear cross-section so that thehandle may be readily and easily received within the fisted palm of themusician. The longitudinal edge of the handle defining the planarsurface 15 is provided with a pair of shallow finger-receiving notches16 to further permit comfortable and secure grasping of the handle bythe musician.

The integral plectrum 12 is generally of conventional shape and isprovided with a strumming tip or point 18. The plectrum is arranged tobe grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the musician during usein the conventional manner. A twist 20 is provided in and adjacent theneck 14 between the handle 10 and plectrum 12 so that the tip 18 will bein proper strumming position when the pick is in use and the handle iscomfortably grasped within the musicians fist during use. This twist inthe device shown is imparted by an approximately 90 angular rotationbetween the plane 15 of the handle 10 and the plane of the plectrum 12.This twist may be permanent and imparted at the time of manufacture ofthe device or in cases where the'pick is made from a thermoplastic resinit may be imparted by the musician by appropriate molding operationsinvolving heating, twisting and cooling to fit the individual desires ofthe musician.

It will be seen that in use the handle 10 including the surface 15 andthe skirt 17 is grasped by the closed fist of the musician with fingersbeing received in the shallow notches 16. At the same time the plectrum12 assumes a position which permits it readily to be grasped between thethumb and forefinger without further adjustment.

The device shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is similar to that described aboveexcept that the plecu'um is removably secured to the handle so that itmay be readily replaced as desired. In this form of the device, anelongated handle 24 having a skirt 25 and finger-receiving notches 26along one longitudinal side adjacent the planar surface 27 thereof isprovided. One end of the handle terminates in an enlarged portion 28having a pair of integral plectrum-embracing arms 30 and 34. The facingsurfaces of the arms are provided with elongated grooves 36 and 38 andnotches 40 which are adapted to receive ridges 42 and 44 of a detachableplectrum 46. In order to assemble the device, the plectrum is merelysnapped to the plectrum through the thumb and forefinger of themusician. The arms serve primarily to hold the plectrum in position forregrasping when the pressure between the thumb and forefinger has beenrelaxed by the musician.

The plectra shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are essentially the same as thatshown in FIG. 8 except for the shape of the pick points on the plectra.

It will be understood that a musicians pick has been provided which maybe formed of soft pliable material which the musician can hold in hishand with little effort. The pick can be pressure molded with variousshapes to fit the hand and style of the musician. By varying thethickness of the handle and the type of material, one can provide easyshaping qualities to fit the palm of the fist and at the same time toprovide a proper positioning of the plectrum when the musician desiresto grasp it for use in strumming of the instrument. The plectrum itselfrequires a certain degree of rigidity, as will be understood. However,the handle and neck portions may be provided with a high degree ofsuppleness or flexibility, in which event the twisting and contourshaping of the handle and neck may at least in part be applied by themusician when the pick is in actual use.

While several embodiments of this invention have been described in theforegoing, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that othermodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis invention, as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A musicians pick comprising an elongated handle and a plectrum havinga strumming tip supported on one end of said handle, the longitudinalaxis of the handle being disposed at an angle to the normal plane ofmovement of said tip during strumming, said'plectrum being adapted to beheld between the thumb and forefinger and the handle being formed to begrasped within the fisted palm of the hand whereby the plectrum issupported in a desired position even though the thumb and forefingerpressure on the plectrum is relaxed.

2. The pick recited in claim 1 wherein said angle is greater than about3. The pick recited in claim 1 wherein said handle and said plectrum areeach formed of flexible sheet material and wherein said sheet materialforming the plectrum and at least a portion of the handle definesurfaces which are disposed at an angle to each other.

4. The pick recited in claim 3 wherein said angle is greater than about60.

5. The pick recited in claim 3 wherein the plectrum and handle areintegrally formed from a single piece of flexible sheet material whichis capable of manual deformation but of the plane of the sheet.

6. The pick recited in claim 3 wherein at least one finger-receivinggroove is formed on one longitudinal edge of the sheet material formingsaid portion of the handle.

7. The pick recited in claim 1 wherein the plectrum is detachablysecured to said handle. provision of a musicians pick in which theplectra may be has a pair of resilient arms for embracing and detachablysupporting said plectrum.

9. A musicians pick comprising an elongated body of flexible sheetmaterial capable of deformation out of the planeof the sheet, one end ofsaid body forming a provided with a twist between the plectrum and thehandle whereby the sheet material forming the plectrum lies in plane atan angle to the plane formed by the sheet material of the handle.

11. The pick recited in claim 9 wherein the angle defined by said planeof movement and said longitudinal axis and the angle between saidplectrum plane and said handle plane are each greater than about 60.

1. A musician''s pick comprising an elongated handle and a plectrumhaving a strumming tip supported on one end of said handle, thelongitudinal axis of the handle being disposed at an angle to the normalplane of movement of said tip during strumming, said plectrum beingadapted to be held between the thumb and forefinger and the handle beingformed to be grasped within the fisted palm of the hand whereby theplectrum is supported in a desired position even though the thumb andforefinger pressure on the plectrum is relaxed.
 2. The pick recited inclaim 1 wherein said angle is greater than about 60*.
 3. The pickrecited in claim 1 wherein said handle and said plectrum are each formedof flexible sheet material and wherein said sheet material forming theplectrum and at least a portion of the handle define surfaces which aredisposed at an angle to each other.
 4. The pick recited in claim 3wherein said angle is greater than about 60*.
 5. The pick recited inclaim 3 wherein the plectrum and handle are integrally formed from asingle piece of flexible sheet material which is capable of manualdeformation out of the plane of the sheet.
 6. The pick recited in claim3 wherein at least one finger-receiving groove is formed on onelongitudinal edge of the sheet material forming said portion of thehandle.
 7. The pick recited in claim 1 wherein the plectrum isdetachably secured to said handle.
 8. The pick recited in claim 7wherein said handle has a pair of resilient arms for embracing anddetachably supporting said plectrum.
 9. A musician''s pick comprising anelongated body of flexible sheet material capable of deformation out ofthe plane of the sheet, one end of said body forming a plectrum having astrumming tip, the longitudinal axis of said body being disposed at anangle to the normal plane of movement of said tip during strumming, andthe other end of said body being adapted to be grasped within the palmof the hand to provide a handle for the pick.
 10. The pick recited inclaim 9 wherein said body is provided with a twist between the plectrumand the handle whereby the sheet material forming the plectrum lies inplane at an angle to the plane formed by the sheet material of thehandle.
 11. The pick recited in claim 9 wherein the angle defined bysaid plane of movement and said longitudinal axis and the angle betweensaid plectrum plane and said handle plane are each greater than about60*.